Super Falcons Qualify for 2026 WAFCON After 1-1 Draw With Benin
African champions Super Falcons of Nigeria will defend their title at the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco after playing 1-1 with Benin Republic in the playoff second leg in Abeokuta on Tuesday.
The Super Falcons go through on a 3-1 aggregate win after winning the first leg 2-0 in Lome Togo.
Ashleigh Plumptre netted her first-ever goal for the Super Falcons after putting them 1-0 up in the first half.
In front of a lively crowd the Super Falcons approached the return leg with confidence, as Justine Madugu’s side dominated possession and dictated the tempo from the opening whistle.
Their control was rewarded in the 12th minute when Plumptre surged forward and headed home a corner kick by Esther Okoronkwo.
Benin, to their credit, refused to give up and n the 61st minute, Yasmine Djibril capitalised on a defensive error to equalise with a clinical low finish — a moment that sparked celebrations among the travelling Beninese supporters.
But despite the setback, the Super Falcons remained calm, relying on the experience of goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie and the defensive stability of Osinachi Ohale to see out the result comfortably.
The Super Falcons are now one of eight teams who have already qualified for next the 2026 WAFCON.
The other eight teams who have sealed their place are Zambia, Tanzania, Malawi, Algeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso and Kenya.
Next year’s WAFCON will hold from 17 March to 3 April, 2026 and will serve as the qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.